"Why!" Jaune shouted as he crawled through the grass.
Everything happened so fast. First, his squad was sent on a mission for something along the lines of a White Fang attack on a train. Next thing he knew, he was blown up along with other Faunus and most of the Atlas Teams that were sent. And that brought us to now.
Where he was held gunpoint by two of his best friends.
"Why Roman!" Jaune shouted. After all the things they have been to. After all the missions. After dating Neo. After having his first drink of booze with Roman. After all the situation simulations Jaune had experienced. Nothing would have prepared him for this.
Nothing.
"I'm sorry Jaune." Roman said. But one could see rings of tears by the corners of his eyes. "I didn't want to do this. But i have no choice."
Neo was crying the tears in her eyes. Turned Jaune turned to look at Neo, Hoping for some kind of mercy from the girl. But, Neo only looked away and closed her eyes and covered her ears. Just hoping for everything to be over.
' I'm sorry Jaune. I really am.' Neo thought as she continued to cover her ears. It pained her to do this. Betraying her first love like this. Betraying the one she had her first date with. Betraying the one she had her first kiss with.
It pained her to betray her first friend outside of Roman.
Her (Boy)friend.
"Jaune i'm sorry, but i have no choice." Roman said as he only looked at Jaune. It pained Roman too. He was going to kill the one he had shared a drink with. He was going to kill the only one he approved of dating his daughter figure, Neo. He was going to kill the one that had defended him in time he should have died.
He was going to kill his Best Friend.
"You know that there is always a choice Roman." Jaune said as he was trying to stand up. But failing halfway.
"I'm sorry Jaune, There isn't this time." Roman said as he pointed his cane at Jaune.
"You know there is Roman!" Jaune exclaimed. "You're just too afraid to take it"
"I'm sorry Jaune. I really am." Roman said with tears in his eyes.
Jaune could only closed his eyes.
*BANG*
Jaune was back at his apartment. Cleaning the room and packing his things for Beacon Academy. Jaune finally finished packing and changed his clothes. Jaune was now dressed in a Black unzipped hoodie, a White Undershirt, Denim jeans and black boots. He stopped and looked at the mirror.
'This is why im hot~' Jaune thought as he recalled a song that he listened to.
Leaving one last look at his apartment. He closed the door. All the while a picture frame was revealed. Consisting of Roman, Neo, Jaune and A white haired woman. Smiling and doing face at the camera. Below the frame, something was captioned.
'Team SANT (Saint)
-x-
As Jaune was walking he turned to look at his watch.
Big mistake
Why? You ask?
Well, as Jaune took a look at his watch, he bumped into someone. As Jaune turned to look he saw a woman.
She wore her red hair in a waist-length ponytail, curled slightly into a loose ringlet, and had vivid green eyes. She also wore light-green eye-shadow around the far upper corners of her eyes. Her top consisted of two layers. The top layer was a light-brown, strapless top split divided vertically with some bronze patterns. It is quite stiff, maintaining its shape without support; this layer also has riveting or small, round embroidery on the sides, indicating heavy stitching. The bottom layer was a low bronze V-neck. She wore an elastic, black, A-line miniskirt and brown opera-length gloves on both arms. She wore a red ankle-length drapery that wrapped around her skirt. There was a small circular bronze plate by her right hip opposite two pouches with both connected to a belt. The plate bore some kind of "shield and spear" emblem. She wore a bronze circlet headpiece that could be seen above her ear and under her bangs. A pair of small, green, teardrop-shaped emeralds hang from her circlet on thin chains. She also sported a large bronze gorget around her neck, and a bronze bracelet on the upper half of her left arm. As for armor, She had elaborate bronze greaves that start below her mid-thigh, continuing downwards into her boots and a pair of cuisses that begin mid-thigh and end slightly above her knees. She also donned a bronze bracer on top of the sleeve on her left arm, which was able to connect and disconnect from her shield easily. Her high-heeled boots are brown with bronze trim, matching her skirt and sleeves, and reach up to mid-calf. As for Weapons, she had some kind of Spear/Rifle hybrid and a Shield.
"Hey, are you alright?" The woman kindly asked as she helped Jaune stand up. "You looked like you took a pretty hard fall there"
"Yeah, Thanks i'm fine." Jaune said as he stood up and dusted himself off. "sorry about that. Anyways, My name is Jaune, Jaune Arc. What's your name Miss Beautiful?"
She blushed. "My name is Pyrrha Nikos."
Pyrrha Nikos was a well known person in Mistral. She graduated at the top of her class back at Sanctum, and was now enlisted at Beacon Academy. She won the Mistral Regional Tournaments four times in a row. Thus setting a new record. She was always treated for her moniker "Goddess Of Victory" or "The Invincible Girl" She wanted to be famous. But now, she wish she hadn't. Being famous meant that nobody would let her act like a normal girl. She was always treated like a celebrity. She was never treated like a normal girl, just like she wanted.
When she bumped into a guy that was looking at his watch, she thought that the same thing would happen again. To her surprise, the man acted like he had never seen her before, so much that he had to ask for her name. When she gave her name, she braced herself for the compliments, the praise and the requests for autographs that she always hated. But again to her surprise, something she never expected happened.
"Really. Nice name. Fitting for a beauty like you." Jaune flirted. "Anyways, i best get going. I hope to see you again Miss. Nikos!" Jaune said as he ran off to a certain direction leaving Pyrrha stunned.
'Did he just,' Pyrrha thought as she looked at the direction in which Jaune ran off. 'Did he not know who i was?'
All this time Pyrrha was hoping for someone to know her for her. That 'someone' just appeared in front of her in the form of a blond muscular and handsome man. As she went off to the Bullheads for beacon in a much happier mood.
'I hope me meet again. Jaune Arc'
-x-
Jaune was walking towards the direction of Beacon's Bullheads. That is until he received a text. Jaune opened up his scroll. The contents of what was inside made him sprint off to a direction opposite of the Beacon Bullheads.
From: Tukson's Book Trade
Subject: X-Ray and Vav Series Bundle Collectors Edition Now Available
Hey Jaune! Your comic books just came with the whole series in a full bundle with a Dust-Ray Commentary of the Illustrators and The Author.
I'd better get here fast if i were you, someone might get word and get it off my shop.
And please. When you do get here, please do not barge in shouting for comic books.
PS. Better Hurry.
And so Jaune hauled ass off to the direction of Tukson's Book Trade all the while shouting.
Tukson was Jaune's source of comic books and entertainment. When he first met Tukson, he was being robbed, now they were friends and he made Tukson sell comic books.
"X-RAY and VAV! HERE I COME!"
Home to Every Book Under The Sun. That was the motto of the Books Store, Tukson's Book Trade. It was a rather small library with a few couches set for reading. There were more than 10 bookshelves to choose from, Ranging from every genre including Action to Romance and there was even erotica.
Regardless it gave a very soothing atmosphere
*Bell Sounds*
"Welcome to Tukson's Book Trade, Home to Every Book Under The Sun." A man known as Tukson greeted.
Tukson was a tall muscular middle aged man. He wore a short-sleeved quarter-zip burgundy and black shirt with a visible white undershirt. His hair was cleanly cut, and he had noticeable sideburns, along with hairy, muscular arms. He was the owner and founder of Tukson's Book Trade.
The woman who entered was a woman. She was a fair skinned young girl with amber eyes and long black hair. A ribbon was tied with a large bow on the top of her head, She wore a black buttoned vest with coattails and a single silver button on the front. Underneath this is a white, sleeveless, high necked, crop undershirt and white shorts with a zipper on the front of each leg. She also wore black low-heeled boots and full stockings with a color gradation of black to purple at her ankles.
She went to a certain bookshelf and brought out a certain book. The books cover was a Pair of what looked like Ninjas, A Shinobi and A Kunoichi. It was Entitled 'Ninjas Of Love' A smutty book. But some would call it 'Adult Literature'.
"You do know that we have other books that don't have smut you know?" Tukson asked the girl. The girl in question just put the book on the counter.
"What part of 'Adult Literature' do you not understand." The girl said.
Tukson laughed. "Sure, keep telling yourself that."
"Good to see you Blake." Tukson said with a smile. It was good to see his frequent customer.
"It's good to see you too Tukson." Blake answered.
"So Blake, Whats the occasion?" Tukson asked. It was weird that she had a weapon on her, unlike before.
"I am now listed at Beacon and i'm headed for the bullhead later on." Blake said
"Wow! That's nifty!" Tukson replied.
Then, Tukson turned serious. "You're there to hide behind Ozpin, Aren't you."
Blake, realizing there was no need to lie, only nodded.
Then, Tukson Slammed his hand down the counter, surprising Blake.
"I told you Blake! This is useless! you cannot keep hiding and running forever."
"I don't know what else to do! I'm not safe wherever i go! I don't know who to trust!"
"Then make friends at Beacon! You are bound to have Teams!"
"Then what do i do! I'm a Faunus and so are you!" Blake said pointing at her bow. "You know how Faunus are treated!"
At that, there was a moment of silence. Nobody could deny that Faunus Discrimination was a thing. Because of the White Fang, Faunus' were often treated like animals. Until a voice spoke.
"Then you have no choice but to trust."
Blake and Tukson looked back to see Jaune, leaning on the wall looking at them with his hood up.
"Jaune..." Tukson said. "I didn't notice you there."
Jaune scratched his head. "Well you did say 'Not to barge in' haha"
"You!" Blake exclaimed. Angry and terrified that some else knew her secret. "Who are you!?"
"Well Miss. Bad in Black." Jaune said, making Black tense at the nickname. "My name is Jaune Arc. Professional Badass, Certified Ladies Man, and Comic Book Enthusiast."
"Back to what i was saying." Jaune's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Miss, You have no choice but to trust in your teammates. They will risk their lives for you. And they trust that you will do the same for them."
Blake looked down."What if when they find out. What if they don't accept me? What if i end up alone again!" Blake exclaimed
Jaune's eyes softened. "Look, you are going to a huntsman and huntress academy. They are supposed to protect and defend, regardless of gender."
Blake seemed to understand.
"I know you don't plan to reveal everything yet. But when you do, make sure you aren't too deep down the rabbit hole."
"But what if they change their opinion of me?" Blake asked. Somehow this guy broke down her doors in less than 2 minutes. And somehow, he had a soothing atmosphere around him.
"Then, i guess it sucks to be you then." Jaune said. Making Blake and Tukson fall to the ground in a comedic manner, making Jaune laugh.
And then back to seriousness "Seriously though. They won't. A wise man once said 'Race discrimination is like choosing coffee. The Easygoing choose White, The Hardworking choose Black, and finally, The ones who enjoy flavor choose Brown.' so don't be afraid. It's how you were born. Plus i'm kinda jealous for your night vision."
Blake finally gave in and smilled at Jaune. "I guess. My name is Blake, Blake Belladonna." Blake offered her hand.
"And my name is Jaune Arc" Jaune said as he shook her hand.
Blake and Jaune just smiled a each other for a while. Neither of them letting go of the other's hand. Until a cough seperated them
"This is a Book Store, not a motel. If you want, i suggest the motel over at Light District." Tukson said while wriggling an eyebrow.
Blake suddenly let go of Jaune's hand, went over to the counter, slammed a few cards of lien at the top of the counter and blurred out of the store. Leaving behind a baffled Jaune and Tukson.
"Damn Jaune, I knew you work fast. But damn, I did not expect it to work that fast." Tukson said as he blew a wolf's whistle. Kind of ironic.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Jaune said. Then seriousness came back. "Alright Back to Business."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"WHERE IS MY X-RAY AND VAV!"
"Hah," Jaune sighed. Jaune left the book store with his new comic book that he stored somewhere inside his hoodie. "I swear, 250 lien just for this comic book." Jaune thought as he then recalled what Tukson said.
'Hey! It's a fair trade. This is a book store, i ain't even supposed to be selling comic books.'
Jaune sighed. "Oh well."
As Jaune kept walking around here got the feeling that he was supposed to be somewhere. Jaune checked his watch. He then realized that the sun was setting.
'SHIT!'
Jaune was late for Beacon. He would not make it in time for the bullheads. He was sure the already took off. So Jaune did what he had to do.
'Desperate time call for desperate measures' Jaune made wings made of wind and launched himself 75 ft. up in the air and rapidly flew himself into the direction of Beacon.
'From the words of a Blue Hedgehog, GOTTA GO FAST!'
And Jaune broke the sound barrier from his speed. Thank Monty for his aura, otherwise he would have been shredded.
As Jaune made it to Beacon. He saw that most of the students were at the hall. Most of them were sleeping. As Jaune flew, he noticed light from the Headmaster's office. Of course, Jaune being Jaune, decided to crash into Ozpin's window. Only to fail as said window was opened, allowing him to freely land inside the office and stumble.
"Oww, Why..." Jaune groaned. He was not expecting the window to suddenly open. So he did not have the form for him to land.
Ozpin could only laugh in response. "Jaune, I have worked with you for over 5 years. You could say that i have developed a six sense when it comes to your antics."
"You are evil." Jaune said as he was standing up. "Anyways, what happened."
"Oh, the usual i guess. i said the old speech that i say every year. I know i can recite it even in my sleep." Ozpin groaned.
"What about the students?"
"Did you know you little sister Joan is going to be studying here?" Ozpin asked Jaune.
Jaune bitterly laughed. "Haha, i thought as much, it was always her dream to become a huntress."
"Does your family know you are alive?" Ozpin asked. Jaune's family was devestated when they found out his body was never found. However, they were kind enough to keep his weapon at the hands of the Atlas military. Saying it would be better off in their hands.
"No, no they don't." Jaune said as he looked to the floor "I was planning on contacting them together with Joan."
Then there was a moment of silence. Until Ozpin spoke up.
"Speaking of contact. Someone wants to talk to you." Ozpin said as he made his way to the screen and pressed something.
'Who could it be?' Jaune thought.
When the screen turned on. What he saw shocked him.
The man wore a white overcoat, with a gray undercoat, black sweater, a red necktie, and a white glove on his right hand. His suit pants shared the same color as his overcoat and are tucked into silver boots accented in gray. His hair was black, with some silver and gray areas, while his eyebrows are solid black. He has a strip of silver metal above his right eyebrow.
This was Atlas' Resident Cyborg. Headmaster of Atlas Academy and General of the Atlas Military, James Ironwood.
Seeing the figure, Jaune stood straight and gave a salute. "Sir Ironwood Sir!" Jaune exclaimed.
Ironwood only laughed. "At ease Agent. Besides, you don't need to salute me. Not anymore."
"Sir?"
"Arc- No- Jaune, I have failed you as a General. I have failed you as a Mentor. I have failed you as a friend."
Jaune dropped his salute. "Sir it was not your fault Sir! Nobody would have seen it coming. An inside job was the least everyone expected."
Ironwood eased. "I am glad you don't blame me."
"I could never blame you General, You were the one to notice my potential. It would not be right." Jaune said.
Ironwood smiled. Jaune Arc was still the same Dorky, Kind, Sharp and Forgiving Boy from three years ago. Even through all he has been through, He keeps on a happy public face. But inside, he was broken. With his heart in pieces, his mind scrambled. And yet he seemed fine.
He was broken, and they both knew it.
"Anyway Sir Ironwood. What has happened for the last three years i was gone?" Jaune asked, curious as to what happened when he was gone.
"Well, for one Penny misses talking to you." Ironwood said. When Penny was undergoing construction, her AI was already finished. Jaune somehow stumbled across Penny's Lab room and from then on out Penny and Jaune would converse from time to time. At some point, Jaune and Penny were so close, that Penny had asked Jaune what love was.
Jaune shivered at the memory
- Flashback (5 years ago)
"Hi Penny. Good Morning." Jaune asked as he entered the lab with an apple at his hand.
Penny was in what looked similar to a hospital bed, just more comfier. There was Penny wrapped in a white blanket
Penny usually had short, rather curly orange hair that came down to her chin, and she wore a pink bow on the back of her head. She also had bright green eyes, light skin and freckles. She wore an old-fashioned blouse with short feminine overalls, as well as a black and green collar with a matching pair of stockings.A layer of skin concealed her metallic structure and spherical joints, and her irises also bore similarity to the shutter of a camera.
Although her clothes were not the same, for she was only dressed in a white blanket.
"Sal-u-tations! Jaune!" Penny said as she moved her head towards Jaune, who grabbed a stool and sat down next to Penny.
Penny was always lonely, she was the first synthetic android to have the ability to process aura. So when she saw a lost blonde guy wandering, She thought she would have had the opportunity to talk to someone other than her 'Father' Ironwood. She talked with Jaune almost every moment she could. Jaune always had stories that she would never get bored off. Then they became so close, that sometimes, Ironwood would allow them to take a stroll somewhere near. To which Penny rejoiced to. She always felt some kind of foreign feeling whenever she was around Jaune.
But this time there was a question she needed to ask.
"Jaune, may i ask a question?" Penny asked.
"Well you technically already did but fire away." Jaune said as he took a bite of his apple.
Penny took a deep breath "What is love?"
Two things happened at that moment.
For one, Ironwood suddenly upped and went to Penny's Lab to see what was going on.
Second, Jaune spit out his apple in shock.
"Wha-What?" Jaune said, still recovering. "What made you curious about that?"
Penny only tilted her head "I asked the other female soldiers about the foreign feeling i have when i am around you. They said to tell me what i felt."
Jaune gulped "And what did you say?"
"I told them that my core starts to heat up and then my lenses begin focusing on you, and then when you are away i find a strange need to find you and keep you close. And then when you are talking to me i feel as if my day is perfect. Then they giggled and told me that it was love."
Penny then leaned closer to Jaune ,who then leaned back. They're proximity was so close that one little push was all it needed for them to kiss.
"So Jaune." Penny asked as she leaned even closer and Jaune leaned back more. "What is lo-"
Penny did not get the chance to finish as she lost her balance and fell to the floor along with Jaune due to leaning so much. (Un)Luckily, Jaune grabbed Penny and held her a few inches before she hit ground. making her fall harmless.
As Jaune saved Penny, he wiped sweat off his forehead. Until he felt a presence behind him. Behind him was General Ironwood, unleashing an aura of fury while pointing at Jaune.
Jaune looked back at Penny. It was at this moment that Jaune realized that he was straddling Penny. It was at this moment that Jaune realized that Penny was holding on to his arms, preventing anyway out of their position. It was at this moment that Jaune saw that steam was coming out of Penny's ears. It was at this moment that Jaune realized why general Ironwood was pissed.
And it was at this moment that Jaune knew...
He Fucked Up.
Jaune gulped and turn back to ironwood. "Uhmm, This isn't what it looks like..."
As soon as Penny let go of Jaune, Jaune bolted out of the room, apple forgotten. As he tried to escape the fiery wrath of General Ironwood.
"I'm sorry!"
"Agent Arc! You will pay for defiling my daughter!"
"I did nothing of the sort!" Jaune shouted as he saw a familiar figure.
The figure was a rather tall young woman, with a fair complexion, white hair and slate blue eyes. Her hair was tied up in a bun at the rear left corner of her head, causing her bangs to fall towards the right side of her face, and leaving a small curled lock of hair that reaches below her left ear. Her attire was blue, white and gray colored. It consists of a white coat with a red brooch, exposed upper arms and black gloves. Her pants have garters incorporated into them.
This was Winter Schnee. And Jaune hid behind her.
"Winter! Help me!" Jaune asked as he ran behind her. Making Winter look at a wrathful Ironwood.
"Arc! You will pay for tainting my innocent flower!"
"I told you that i did nothing of the sort!" Jaune replied, while sending Winter a Message 'help me'
Winter only sighed. "General Ironwood sir. I am sure that Agent Arc has done nothing of the sort to Miss Polendina."
"Oh yeah?" Ironwood taunted
"Yes Sir!" Jaune replied.
"Then why did i see you straddling my daughter while she was dressed in nothing but a white blanket?!"
Jaune though for a second. He now realized that Penny had gone through a system check up a few minutes before he went in. which meant she was practically naked the whole time they talked.
'What the? did it just get cold all of a sudden?' Jaune though, confused at the sudden change in temperature. Although now he knew why.
"Uh, Ice Queen. Lets uh not be violent here." Jaune said as he kept taking a step back every time Winter took a cold step forward.
Winter Schnee was now staring at Jaune Arc with cold, cold Blue Eyes. that was all he could remember until he woke up at the medical bay.
- End Flashback -
Needless to say Jaune had suffered a mild frostbite.
And Winter always Accompanied Jaune when he talked to Penny.
Sometimes he could see Penny and Winter glaring at each other like they hated one another.
But that was impossible. Although he had to know where they get the lightning from.
"Haha i see. How is she?" Jaune asked Ironwood. He missed Penny. He too, enjoyed their time together.
"Not so good." Ironwood said. "When she found out what happened to you, she unleashed all her rage at the courtyard and damaged herself in the process of us trying to contain her."
"I see."
Ozpin coughed. "James, i believe you were going to asked Jaune something?"
Ironwood's eyes widened. "Oh yes! Of course!"
"Jaune, i may not be able to redo my mistakes. I might not be able to get your team back. But i can grant you one request."
Jaune contemplated "Well i do have one." Ironwood's eyes focused.
"Oz here told me my sword was at the military. If its not too much, i would like to get it back."
Ozpin and Ironwood smiled.
"Very well. Have a good day Jaune. The package will arrive tomorrow." Ironwood said as he shutdown the call.
Jaune went to the roof and stared at the shattered moon.
"Finally, we will meet again, old friend..."
"Ventus Cleaver"
AN: HELLO FOLKS ITS ME WITH A NEW UPDATE. I HAVE TO SAY I WAS SHOCKED. PEOPLE ACTUALLY LIKED MY STORY SO I MADE A NEW CHAPTER! SOMEBODY FROM THE REVIEWS TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD MAKE A 5K-10K LONG CHAPTER SO I TRIED IT ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T MAKE THE MARK. ALSO Ventus Cleaver IS LATIN FOR WIND CLEAVER. YES, THIS IS FROM GOOGLE TRANSLATE. ANYWAYS I GOTTA GO. HOPE YOU LIKED THE CHAPTER SO STAY COOL. THERE WILL BE MORE TO COME. AND SIGNING OFF FOR NOW, ZAC_FF UNTIL NEXT TIME.